Observation of Bc+ → Dh+ h- Decays



Aaij, R, Abdelmotteleb, ASW, Beteta, C Abellan, Abudinen, F, Ackernley, T, Adefisoye, AA, Adeva, B, Adinolfi, M, Adlarson, P, Agapopoulou, C
et al (show 1197 more authors) (2026) Observation of Bc+ → Dh+ h- Decays PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 136 (2). 021804-. ISSN 0031-9007, 1079-7114

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Abstract

Searches are presented for Bc+→Dh+h- decays, where D is a charmed meson and h± is a charged pion or kaon, using pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb-1. The decays Bc+→D+K+π-, Bc+→D∗+K+π-, and Bc+→Ds+K+K- are observed for the first time. Their branching fractions, expressed as ratios relative to that of the Bc+→Bs0π+ decay, are determined to be R(Bc+→D+K+π-)=(1.96±0.23±0.08±0.10)×10-3, R(Bc+→D∗+K+π-)=(3.67±0.55±0.24±0.20)×10-3, R(Bc+→Ds+K+K-)=(1.61±0.35±0.13±0.07)×10-3, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the limited precision on the D-meson branching fractions. The decay channels proceed primarily through excited K0 or D0 resonances or φ mesons, and open a new avenue for studies of charge-parity violation in beauty mesons.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: LHCb Collaboration
Divisions: Faculty of Science & Engineering
Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering
Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Physical Sciences
Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Physical Sciences > Physics
Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 23 Jan 2026 10:02
Last Modified: 16 Jun 2026 20:27
DOI: 10.1103/fsj9-89jt
Open Access URL: https://journals.aps.org/prl/pdf/10.1103/fsj9-89jt
Related Websites:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3196688
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